Charlotte's story: A lifetime of trust and safety
Donate to our Christmas Appeal to help more young people like Charlotte and her family.
"Charlie is simply a part of Rose Road, and having attended since such a young age, she’s never not known it. Charlie is stable at the moment but with her condition no one really knows what will happen..."
Her mum Helen, tells her story:
"Charlie is a very happy, tactile person. She’s non-verbal but loves to take your hand and lead you. She’s very clear with her communication and letting you know what she wants – she’s very determined and spirited!
Charlie had medical complications since birth. She was born prematurely and spent several weeks in the neonatal unit, needing several surgeries in early life to place a shunt in her head, and later for scoliosis. She suffers with seizures and still needs oxygen overnight due to sleep apnoea, which always alarms at night when she rolls away from the equipment, so my nights are often restless.
"This makes Rose Road my lifeline, because I can sleep".
"I cried when she turned 18, because we didn’t know if we’d get the same support as we transitioned to Adult Social Care. But luckily we got a Continuing Health plan which meant Rose Road would remain a part of our lives.
The news was amazing. They even advocated to get us more nights which have been a great help.
It’s her second home and like she’s part of a big family. Whenever I go in, the staff are caring and give Charlie hugs, which she loves. I don’t worry about how it’s going as I know she’s well looked after and she trusts who she’s with.
Charlie has no sense of danger; even in her wheelchair she’ll be off to explore so you can’t leave her or take your eyes off her.
But at Rose Road she can be independent because it’s a safe, secure environment.
I can use the nights flexibly too; I tend to book three or four nights in a row which give Charlie stability and continuity, and I can have a few proper nights’ sleep. Plus it gives her 12-year-old sister Ellie proper mum time, doing things we know Charlie wont cope with. On Saturdays I take her horse riding, knowing Charlie will be happy and sorted.
Rose Road are, and have always been, there for her. They know her and how to look after her, I don’t know how I’d cope without them".
We need to ensure families can rely on us for a lifetime. Please donate online here to support our Christmas Appeal and help more young people like Charlie have a home from home they trust.
Find out more about our Christmas Appeal here, where your donation will be matched and doubled, to double the difference we can make for families now, and for the long term.
